Andranik Starts as Fulham defeat Celtic 3-1

Fulham's team is shaping up nicely for the new season and against Celtic debutant Bobby Zamora scored a sublime left footed volley after half an hours play.

Aaron Hughes led the team out on Saturday and Hodgson included five summer signings in his starting eleven.

David Stockdale retained the keeper’s jersey after an impressive midweek performance against Southend whilst John Pantsil featured at right back. Zoltan Gera and Andranik joined Jimmy Bullard and Simon Davies in midfield with Bobby Zamora leading the line alongside Erik Nevland.

The Whites made a perfect start to the game with Nevland putting the home side ahead after just two minutes of play.

After soaking up some early Celtic pressure Fulham countered at speed through the middle of the park and Zamora picked out Gera's run down the right channel with a well placed pass.

Gera’s cross from the right found an unmarked Nevland on the edge of the six yard box and the striker made no mistake with his finish. The striker swept his right footed shot past Brown and into the far corner of the net. Cool calm finising from the Norwegian.

David Stockdale was once again in fine form in the Fulham goal. In the opening ten minutes of play the keeper denied Celtic on two occasions, the first due to good positioning and the second a fine save.

Scott MacDonald was sent through goal after seven minutes but Stockdale closed the angle and the striker blazed his shot over the bar. Minutes later the keeper's fingertip save kept out a powerful 25 yard drive.

A well balanced Fulham midfield enjoyed some fluid passing moves during the first half. Davies and Gera provided the width on the flanks and with Andranik providing defensive cover Bullard was allowed the freedom to push forward. Fulham's football was certainly pleasing on the eye.

Celtic certainly had their chances but lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Chris Killen had two headed opportunities in front of goal during the first half but on both occasions the striker failed to beat Stockdale.

Celtic’s supply chain was Aiden McGeady on the left flank. The winger sent in several fine crosses from out wide during the first half.

Bobby Zamora, wearing the number 52 shirt, scored an absolutely stunning goal after 30 minutes of play on his Fulham debut. It was his strike partner Nevland who created the opportunity with an intelligent diagonal run into the box and pinpoint cross.

Nevland’s cross from the left by-line found Zamora racing into the box. Zamora, showing great technique, sent his left footed volley blazing past Mark Brown. The execution was sublime and Fulham were two goals to the good.

Celtic pulled one back on 41 minutes thanks to a superb free kick from Barry Robson. Brede Hangeland was penalised for a foul 20 yards from goal and Robson sent the resulting free-kick round the wall and into the far corner. A fine strike.

Robson’s goal was the last piece of action of the fast half and whilst the game was evenly matched Fulham were far more clinical in front of goal and played some attractive passing football.

However Zamora was the story of the first half and Fulham’s watching fans will have been highly impressed with the range of attributes the striker showed not to mention a quite stunning goal.

As expected both sides made changes for the second period of play.

Roy Hodgson made for substitutions. In midfield Bullard, Andranik and Davies made way for Murphy, Andreasen and Dempsey. Fulham debutant and goal scorer Bobby Zamora made way for US international striker Eddie Johnson.

For Celtic Hinkel, Killen and Donati were replaced by Hartley, Samaras and Wilson.

It was a scrappy start to the second half but Fulham continued to create chances. Murphy, handed the armband for the second 45, had a 20 yard drive blocked, as did Dempsey from inside the area on 52 minutes.

Pantsil and Gera were forming a good understanding down Fulham’s right flank. Pantsil, bursting with energy and enthusiasm, was never shy to head upfield and Gera, a cultured football with fine technical ability, looks like a fine acquisition.

The game entered a quiet spell as the hour mark approached and Gordon Strachan made a further change, replacing left back Lee Naylor with Darren O’Dea. Following the change Celtic pressed and enjoyed a strong spell of possession in Fulham’s half.

Both managers made a further double substitution on 65 minutes.

For the home side Healy replaced goal scorer Nevland and Lee Cook replaced Zoltan Gera.

Fulham shuffled their midfield pack with Dempsey switching to the right flank and Cook taking up his natural position on the left wing.

Gordon Strachan took off MacDonald and Robson for Caddis and Sheridan respectively. Twenty minutes from time Roy Hodgson replaced Pantsil and Konchesky with Volz and Kallio.

Celtic almost brought the game level on 75 minutes from another set piece. A free-kick from wide right was floated into the danger zone but once again Celtic lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. Aiden McGeady made way for Koki Mizuno moments later.

The second half action failed to replicate an entertaining and action but Leon Andreasen scored another cracking goal for Fulham four minutes from time.

Fulham earned a corner from the left and Danny Murphy floated in an inch perfect set piece to Andreasen on the edge of the area. The Dane fired in an unstoppable right footed volley from a central position twenty yards out which gave keeper Brown no chance.

Andreasen’s goal was the final action of the game and Referee Steve Bennett blew time on the game after two minutes added time with Fulham riding out 3-1 winners over the SPL Champions at the Cottage on Saturday.

It was an impressive performance from Roy Hodgon’s side. Zamora’s first half goal will grab the headlines but all of Fulham’s new recruits enjoyed bright starts to their careers at the Cottage.

The Whites will be hoping to continue their winning streak when they head to Korea on Sunday to take part in two further pre-season friendlies next week against Busan l'Park (Wednesday) and Ulsan Hyundai ( Saturday)

Fulham

David Stockdale, Paul Konchesky, John Pantsil, Brede Hangeland, Andranik, Erik Nevland, Zoltan Gera, Aaron Hughes (C), Jimmy Bullard, Simon Davies, Bobby Zamora

Subs: Neil Etheridge (GK), Moritz Volz, Seol Ki-Hyeon, David Healy, Danny Murphy, Eddie Johnson, Lee Cook, Clint Dempsey, Leon Andreasen, Toni Kallio

Mark Brown, Andreas Hinkel, Lee Naylor, Stephen McManus (C), Gary Caldwell, Scott MacDonald, Scott Brown, Massimo Donati, Barrry Robson, Chris Killen, Aiden McGeady

Subs: Scott Fox (GK), Bobo Balde, Georgios Samaras, Paul Hartley, Mark Wilso, Shinsuke Nakamura, Cillian Sheridan, Koki Mizuno Darren O'Dea, Paul Caddis, Paul McGowan